The American lunar lander launched 10 days ago will burn up in the Earth’s atmosphere

The private American rocket “Vulcan Centaur” headed for the moon on Monday, January 8. In particular, it transported the lunar lander from the American start-up Astrobotic, the first private American device aimed at landing on the moon.

Alas, the mission failed during the lander’s journey to our satellite, a fuel leak quickly identified, he recalls.AFP.

The start-up has positioned itself to the moon “For controlled returns” Over the waters of the South Pacific, she signaled this Thursday, January 18.

Also read: Why is it more difficult to go to the moon today than 50 years ago?

Uncertainty and the “difficult decision”

The lander, however, continued to operate in space, collecting flight data useful for future efforts, and also allowing experiments to be carried out on board, particularly those sent by NASA, such as measuring radiation.

But the company also had to assess how to end the mission without risking problems for satellites in Earth orbit or debris in lunar orbit, taking into account the uncertainties associated with the leak.

The company announced this weekend that it had taken “Tough Decision” To maintain a trajectory directing the lander toward Earth, even though it might have continued to work for it “the week”.

“We do not believe that Peregrine’s re-entry poses a safety risk and that the spacecraft will burn up in Earth’s atmosphere.”

Written after Astrobotic.

The lander is about the size of a small golf cart. The company is planning a press conference on Friday to review the entire mission.